John Cotton John Cotton's Number 1 Mild (re-release)
(3.13)
John Cotton’s Number 1 is a light, Virginias-forward blend, seasoned with fragrant Orientals and just enough latakia for a flavorful experience.
Notes: John Cotton's No. 1 is a light and refreshing English blend made of matured and bright Virginias, select, small-leaf Orientals and latakia. It's ideal in the morning or as an all-day type of blend. The subtle interplay of the Orientals and latakia are supported by the mellow sweetness of the Virginias The blend has been reconstructed through research and sampling of vintage tins, which triggered blender Russ Ouellette's memories of having smoked the blend in the seventies. For a taste of a traditional, light latakia blend with a great history, give John Cotton's No. 1 a try.
Details
| Brand | John Cotton |
| Blended By | Russ Ouellette |
| Manufactured By | Lane, Ltd. |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 1.75 ounce tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.13 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 21, 2015 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
This is the second of the review samples that I have finished. This was my least favorite so far. This is no slight against the tobacco, rather a slight against my own personal tastes as I just don't like light and sour lat blends as this blend is. If I had to compare this to another blend it would probably be Butera Pelican. That is another blend that I don't like, however several people do like it.
So this is a tough review for me to do as it draws a paradox between whether a review should be objective or subjective. Some reviewers feel a compulsion to be objective; whereas, I prefer to be subjective as the Tobacco reviews is also a way to track your own tastes and compare to those with similar tastes. If all I did was objective reviews then I would have similar tastes as a bunch of people with drastically different tastes.
Now that I have done away with my disclaimer, I can move forward with the review. The blend comes off as lemony sweet and sour with a very light body. I really don't get much hay sweetness as I feel the orientals do dominate the blend. Such is probably the intent. Don't get me wrong, the Virginias are present and they can be tasted, but I feel they are overpowered. As for the Latakia, it is but a whisper to my tastes.
I have never tasted the original John Cotton No. 1 mild and I am pretty sure it would not really be to my liking either as I have every confidence into both the research that went into this coupled with the choice of Russ Oulette as a blender to make a good match.
So for an objective review I would give this three stars for the efforts that were put into this, the quality of leaf and the overall concept of these blends, but subjectively it is a two star blend that I would only recommend if you said that you like your blends sour and light.
So this is a tough review for me to do as it draws a paradox between whether a review should be objective or subjective. Some reviewers feel a compulsion to be objective; whereas, I prefer to be subjective as the Tobacco reviews is also a way to track your own tastes and compare to those with similar tastes. If all I did was objective reviews then I would have similar tastes as a bunch of people with drastically different tastes.
Now that I have done away with my disclaimer, I can move forward with the review. The blend comes off as lemony sweet and sour with a very light body. I really don't get much hay sweetness as I feel the orientals do dominate the blend. Such is probably the intent. Don't get me wrong, the Virginias are present and they can be tasted, but I feel they are overpowered. As for the Latakia, it is but a whisper to my tastes.
I have never tasted the original John Cotton No. 1 mild and I am pretty sure it would not really be to my liking either as I have every confidence into both the research that went into this coupled with the choice of Russ Oulette as a blender to make a good match.
So for an objective review I would give this three stars for the efforts that were put into this, the quality of leaf and the overall concept of these blends, but subjectively it is a two star blend that I would only recommend if you said that you like your blends sour and light.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 2017 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Standard Tobacco Co. - John Cotton's Number 1 Mild.
Gold and brown ribbons with only a dash of black. When I opened this I was imminently impressed by the moisture.
I'd be inclined to concur with DK about No.1 being mild but rich. The Latakia and Orientals are equal in weight, so neither overtakes the other to create a monopoly where the seasonings are concerned. The two of them give the Virginia based smoke some required pizazz, as the Virginias are easily at the front. I can't detect any added flavour, all I note is a sweetness which I'd expect from decent quality Virginias. For me, a negative is the burns speed, it goes quite fast.
Nicotine: mild to medium. Room-note: pleasant enough.
Number 1? I think it's a good blend, but starts to bore me after one bowl. Somewhat recommended:
Two stars.
Gold and brown ribbons with only a dash of black. When I opened this I was imminently impressed by the moisture.
I'd be inclined to concur with DK about No.1 being mild but rich. The Latakia and Orientals are equal in weight, so neither overtakes the other to create a monopoly where the seasonings are concerned. The two of them give the Virginia based smoke some required pizazz, as the Virginias are easily at the front. I can't detect any added flavour, all I note is a sweetness which I'd expect from decent quality Virginias. For me, a negative is the burns speed, it goes quite fast.
Nicotine: mild to medium. Room-note: pleasant enough.
Number 1? I think it's a good blend, but starts to bore me after one bowl. Somewhat recommended:
Two stars.
Pipe Used:
Atinok Meerschaum
PurchasedFrom:
4noggins
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 23, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I smoked #1 back in the 1960's and 70's . The 60's blend was sort of Virginia forward with the right amount of Syrian to make it exactly what it said it was , a mild English mixture . The 70's brew lowered the quality of the Virginias and added more latakia and played a little with the orientals . I stopped smoking it around that time . This new blend by Russ is a commendable attempt to recreate a classic . Although the new #1 is an interesting blend that does provide a decent smoke it falls far from the mark of the late , lamented blend . This one is way too peppery for my taste , placing the focus on the orientals . We must also ask ourselves " exactly what are orientals" ? The answer , unless clearly noted on the tin , the could be dozens of different tobaccos . There is no way memory can serve me to discern exactly which orientals were used back in the day . Neither can one learn that much from opening a 40 year old tin in which the tobacco has totally changed over time . Reissues must rely on memory to succed . My memory tells me that , although this is a decent blend , there is too much pepper and not enough meat for this to be called JC #1 . Nice try though .
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 2016 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
My wife (SeoulSister) really loves this blend and so I thought I’d give it a go. Of the new versions that are being now produced by the Standard Tobacco Co. of PA, I have been fortunate to still have earlier tins of this one, No. 1 & 2 and Bengal Slices. I have smoked all three of them side by side with the new blends. Like many of the great blenders, of which I consider Russ one of them, there is a distinct flavor/style that makes these guys great. But in this case, that is a problem for me. It tastes more like one of Russ’s match blends than the original, even taking into account the changes to the older stuff due to the aging process. I find this to be sweeter and the Latakia to play more of a dominate role than previous versions with the new JC Mild not really sharing the same flavor profile (for me) than one of the other versions. While I thought that the new Bengal Slices is the best version of that blend ever made, I found this to be disappointing. It is a good tobacco offering some moderate complexity and standing on its own and I think many will enjoy it. For me personally, it’s too far outside of the taste that I enjoyed with JC Mild for my preference.
Age When Smoked:
new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 24, 2016 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Another mild English blend, of which there are quite a number. The tobacco is, as per the blender's purported preference, drier than normal. The scent in the tin is subtle, which foretells the smoking experience: an unassuming, oriental slightly forward, inoffensive smoke.
If I was handed an unmarked bag of this and asked to pay the going retail, I would demur and ask for a tin of Dunhill Standard Mellow, or Skiff, or one of the Kings: Charles (from Germain) or Frederik (from Olsen). And that doesn't exhaust the less expensive, better (?) alternatives.
Glad I tried it, but I won't do it again.
If I was handed an unmarked bag of this and asked to pay the going retail, I would demur and ask for a tin of Dunhill Standard Mellow, or Skiff, or one of the Kings: Charles (from Germain) or Frederik (from Olsen). And that doesn't exhaust the less expensive, better (?) alternatives.
Glad I tried it, but I won't do it again.
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 25, 2016 | Mild | None Detected | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Pleasant |
I'll keep this short, I never smoked the original, but this one is not destined for greatness. The latakia is nonexistent , the Virginias might just as well be also, as they lack sweetness. The Orientals burn hot and flavorless. Overall a very hot burning, flavorless smoke. Won't buy again, almost a one star
Pipe Used:
cob
Age When Smoked:
1 week to one month open
target="_blank"
